Lab-grown diamond prices in 2026: which sizes are still falling
Dhanlaxmi Trade Desk · 2026-10-19
Lab-grown diamond wholesale prices fell about 13% in the year to Q2 2026, but not evenly. 1 ct rounds edged up 1%, while 2 ct rounds dropped 20% and fancy shapes 17%.
Key takeaways
- Wholesale lab-grown prices fell about 13% in the year to Q2 2026.
- 1 ct round rose 1%; this is the first time this size has firmed.
- 2 ct rounds fell 20%, and fancy shapes 17% on average.
- Retail markups held above 80% over wholesale
- Stock 1 ct rounds in depth; buy 2 ct+ and fancy shapes to order
If you set your lab-grown jewellery prices last year, some of them are already out of date. The fall in lab-grown diamond prices has slowed in 2026, but it has not stopped, and it now depends heavily on the size and shape of the stone. Here is where wholesale prices stand, which sizes are still sliding, and how to price and buy without getting stuck with old stock.
How far wholesale prices have moved since 2025
Wholesale lab-grown prices fell 26% across 2025, according to Edahn Golan's Lab-Grown Wholesale Price List, the benchmark most of the trade follows. The pace has eased since then: prices were down 14% year on year in Q1 2026 and 13% in Q2 2026. Since tracking began in 2018, the index is down 96%. Natural diamonds have moved far less. On the same 1 ct round benchmark, natural prices are down about 3.5% since March 2025, against roughly 30% for lab-grown.
Why 1 ct rounds held while 2 ct and fancy shapes fell
The 1 ct round is the size most buyers ask for, and demand there has stayed strong enough to soak up new supply. In Q2 2026, 1 ct round wholesale prices rose 1% year on year, the first time this size has firmed since lab-grown went mainstream. Larger stones are a different story. Growers now produce 2 ct and bigger stones with ease, so supply keeps running ahead of demand. Fancy shapes lost the most on average, partly because shape trends change faster than size trends.
- 1 ct rounds: up 1%
- 1.50–1.99 ct rounds: down 11%
- 2 ct rounds: down 20%
- Fancy shapes (ovals, pears, marquise, hearts): down 17% on average
- All lab-grown, average: down 13%
What it means for your price points and margins
Lower stone costs have not squeezed retail margins. Golan's data shows retailers still earn a markup of more than 80% over wholesale on lab-grown, almost unchanged from 2025. What has changed is the price your customer expects to see. A 2 ct solitaire priced on last year's stone cost will look expensive next to newer stock. Review your lab-grown price list every quarter, price larger stones from today's replacement cost, and pass the saving on as a bigger center stone at the same price point. For ready designs you can price straight away; see our ring collection.
How to buy into a falling market without dead stock
Hold stock only where prices are steady, and turn it fast. A slow-moving parcel of larger stones loses value on paper every quarter, while a steady 1 ct round line keeps its price. Keep an eye on rough prices too: lab-grown rough has started to rise, which could slow the fall in polished prices later this year.
- Stock 1 ct rounds and your best-selling sizes in depth
- Buy 2 ct and larger stones, and fancy shapes, to order or in small lots
- Ask for an IGI report on every stone you sell
- Reprice your lab-grown range every quarter
Frequently asked questions
Will lab-grown diamond prices keep falling in 2026?
Yes, but more slowly. Wholesale prices fell 13% year on year in Q2 2026, against 26% across 2025, and 1 ct rounds have started to firm while larger sizes and fancy shapes are still easing.
Which lab-grown diamond sizes hold their value best?
In 2026, 1 ct rounds have held best, rising 1% year on year in Q2. Stones of 2 ct and larger fell the most, down 20%, with fancy shapes down 17% on average.
How should a jeweller price lab-grown jewellery today?
Price from today's replacement cost, not what you paid, and review the list every quarter. Keep your margin and pass lower stone costs on as a larger centre stone at the same price point.
